Looking to get away this half-term? Travellers are being warned to check their holiday plans to make sure they meet Covid vaccination rules — particularly when travelling to EU destinations.
While Britain has eased the rules for returning travellers, with all testing for vaccinated arrivals ending and unvaccinated arrivals no longer required to self-isolate, a complicated web of regulations still exists across some favourite holiday destinations.
France joined Spain and Denmark last week in requiring anyone who completed their vaccination jabs more than 270 days ago to have a booster to enter the country, or be considered unvaccinated. Austria requires boosters after 180 days.
For many destinations testing remains commonplace, unvaccinated people are often banned, mask rules are strict, and Covid passports are widespread. Travellers from the UK are still banned in some countries: here’s the full list of them.
In addition, anyone who has travelled during the pandemic will know that Covid tests could cause delays, flights may be cancelled due to staff illness, and new variants could mean the return of the red list and quarantine hotels. Make sure you’ve swotted up on insurance and refund policies before you hit that ‘confirm booking’ button.
Check the latest Department for Transport and Foreign Office travel advice. And, be sure you know whether your destination is accepting the NHS app as proof, or if you need to show a letter.
At a glance
No testing for vaccinated
Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey.
No masks required
Sweden, Denmark, Finland, USA (some states, eg Florida).
Difficult for (or closed to) unvaccinated teens
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, USA (some states, eg New York).
Easy for unvaccinated teens
Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Egypt, Ireland, Maldives, Mexico, Seychelles, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, USA (some states, eg Florida).
Open to unvaccinated
Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Greece, Ireland, Maldives, Mexico, Portugal, Seychelles, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkey.
Covid passports required
Austria, Belgium, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, USA (some states, eg New York).
France
Requirements
France will not allow tourists to enter the country if they received their Covid vaccine more than nine months ago unless they can provide a compelling reason. This means British tourists hoping to enter the country over half-term will need to get a booster jab if they want to enter the country. Without a booster, tourists are considered unvaccinated.
All UK travellers must present a negative COVID-19 test - either antigen or PCR - taken within 24 hours before departure. Antigen tests must be certified by a laboratory and NHS lateral flow test kits are not allowed.
When you get there
Mask-wearing is compulsory in all enclosed public spaces - and some outdoor places, including crowded queues, markets, or in the stands of a stadium.
France launched health passes over the summer to access restaurants, bars and other spaces. Your vaccination status on the NHS app is valid. Face masks must be worn indoors.
Spain
Requirements
Spain requires travellers from the UK aged 12 or over to show proof of a full vaccination programme (booster required after 270 days), completed at least 14 days prior to arrival. Tourists who are unvaccinated must produce a negative lateral flow test 24 hours before departing.
When you get there
A nationwide state of emergency existed in Spain between 25 October 2020 and 9 May 2021. Although that status is currently lifted, some restrictions and curfews remain in force, but these vary between regions. Beach rules may also differ depending on the part of Spain that’s being visited.
Vaccination rates in Spain are very high — around 80 per cent of the population have had two jabs.
Italy
Requirements
Full vaccination (first two doses) and negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before entering Italy or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours before entering. Children up to 17 are exempt from vaccination requirements if travelling with a fully vaccinated parent. Children aged six and under exempt from testing and vaccination requirements too.
When you get there
Italy has relatively strict requirements to use face masks and show a vaccination pass to access most venues. In many settings, including flights to and from Italy, face masks must be FFP2/N95 standard, not surgical or cloth masks. Vaccination levels are high at around 75 per cent.
Portugal
Requirements
Portugal has announced that they intend to remove the requirement for all travellers to show proof of a negative Covid test before flying to the country, provided you can show a valid digital European Union certificate or recognised proof of vaccination. It is believed the NHS proof of vaccination will be accepted.
Those who are not fully vaccinated will still need to show proof of a negative Covid test taken before entry. There are different restrictions depending on whether you are travelling to mainland Portugal, Madeira or the Azores.
When you get there
Proof of vaccination records and/or negative test results are required to enter restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other similar indoor establishments. Face mask use is mandatory in closed spaces, including public transport. Portugal has one of the world’s highest vaccination rates at 89 per cent.
The Netherlands
Requirements
Full vaccination and booster for all those aged 13 and over. Two jabs does not count as full vaccination for the purposes of quarantine-free travel, regardless of when doses were administered. All those aged 12 and over must also present a negative PCR test result (taken no more than 48 hours before departure), or a negative antigen test result (taken no more than 24 hours before departure).
When you get there
Restaurants, bars and cultural venues reopened on Wednesday 26 January but there is a 10pm curfew in place. Wearing a face mask is advised in any place where it is not possible to stay 1.5 metres apart. This now also applies to busy outdoor places such as shopping streets.
Austria
Requirements
One of three documents is required to enter the country - a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours, a vaccine certificate or proof of past infection. However, only proof of vaccination or past infection will be accepted to enter any type of accommodation, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, theatres and to use cable cars or ski lifts. A negative COVID-19 test will not be sufficient.
When you get there
There is an 11pm curfew for restaurants. Masks are required on public transport and in indoor spaces.
Croatia
Requirements
Non-EU citizens aged 12 or over need to show evidence of one of the following to be able to enter Croatia without subsequent self-isolation: a negative PCR test (within 72 hours before arrival) or negative antigen test (within 48 hours); a vaccination course completed more than 14 days prior; or a doctor’s certificate of recovery from Covid-19. You will also have to fill out an online form, and show you have paid for accommodation.
When you get there
Residents and visitors are still expected to use a mask indoors, and in open spaces where physical distancing isn’t possible. Vaccination rates in Croatia are low by European standards.
ââSwitzerland
Requirements
Pre-arrival testing for vaccinated travellers from the UK to Switzerland was scrapped last month in time for the February half-term holidays. Unvaccinated travellers can still not enter, unless they can show proof of recovery from Covid. Unvaccinated travellers who qualify for entry with proof of recovery must still present negative PCR test (not older than 72 hours) or lateral flow test (not older than 24 hours) on boarding a plane to Switzerland and on entry.
Unvaccinated children and adolescents arriving from the UK under the age of 18 are allowed to enter Switzerland if they are accompanied by fully vaccinated adults. Children under the age of 16 are also exempt from the requirement to test before departure, whether vaccinated or not.
The passenger locator form now only has to be completed by those travelling to Switzerland by plane or on a long-distance bus service. That means skiers landing in France and crossing the border will not need to worry about paperwork to visit Switzerland and will only need to fill out the relevant documents for the French authorities.
When you get there
To access most areas of daily life you will have to show a certificate of vaccination or recovery, via an app or on paper. It’s compulsory to wear a face mask in other freely accessible enclosed settings, such as public transport and shops. Switzerland’s vaccination rates are quite low for Europe, at 67 per cent.
Greece
Requirements
Previously you could enter Greece with just proof of full vaccination or recovery from Covid, the restrictions have now tightened. Since December 19 2020, travellers over the age of five need a negative PCR test result carried out in the 72 hours prior to departure, regardless of vaccination status, or a rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory taken in the 24 hours before travel. Visitors must also fill in a passenger locator form at least a day before travelling. You may be asked to take a rapid antigen test on arrival and a “strongly recommended” to take further tests on days two and four.
When you get there
Face masks are standard in most indoor venues, and you may have to show proof of vaccination to get into restaurants and bars. Vaccination rates are relatively low for Europe at around 67 percent, but many tourism-reliant island areas have been deliberately prioritised.
Turkey
Requirements
Either proof of full vaccination, evidence of having recently recovered from Covid or a negative test (PCR within 72 hours or rapid antigen within 48 hours of arrival), and also a health registration form are required. There may be random PCR testing on arrival.
When you get there
Mask mandates in public are quite stringent. Turkey accepts the NHS proof of vaccination for situations when a pass is required to enter a venue. Over 60 per cent of Turks are fully vaccinated.
Canary Islands
Requirements
As a Spanish territory, entry requirements to the Canary Islands are the same as Spain. Travellers to the Canary Islands from mainland Spain may be required by tourist accommodation providers to show evidence of a negative test. See the Canary Island tourist board website for details.
When you get there
Masks and social distancing are required. In Tenerife, masks are mandatory both indoors and outdoors but can be taken off when seated at a table. Vaccination certificates are required to enter venues with a capacity of 30 or more, while capacity is reduced in all public and commercial spaces.
Venues that normally stay open late must close earlier than usual and UK customers must be fully-jabbed to enter. There are also regulations restricting the number of people allowed on certain beaches. Ideally, you should download the RadarCOVID contagion alert app to notify you of the risk of exposure to Covid depending on your location. Over 75 per cent of the population are vaccinated.
United States
Requirements
Fully vaccinated travellers can come from the UK without having to quarantine on arrival. NHS proof of vaccination is accepted. Everyone aged two or over has to take a Covid-19 test no more than one day before boarding a flight to the US. Fully vaccinated travellers are also “recommended” to take a test within three to five days of arrival in the US. Unvaccinated children under 18 can enter without quarantine, but in that case the post-arrival test is compulsory.
When you get there
Covid measures in the US vary between states. Mask mandates are a huge point of political contention, but generally you are more likely to be asked to wear masks in bigger cities. There is no requirement for a vaccinations pass to get into public spaces. Vaccination rates in the US are fairly low at around 62 per cent, but vary greatly by state and area.
Dominican Republic
Requirements
Anyone aged five or over who has been in the UK in the 14 days before travelling to the Dominican Republic needs to be either fully vaccinated or show a negative PCR test result taken in the 72 hours before arrival. The vaccination card should be at least three weeks older than the date of travel. Visitors must also complete the country’s E-Ticket.
When you get there
The Dominican Republic lifted curfews and other emergency measures on October 11 2021, though face-mask requirements and social distancing are still in place. Anyone over the age of 12 is also supposed to show proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid test result (valid for seven days) in order to enter enclosed spaces. If in doubt, check with your hotel what is required. The majority of the population are fully vaccinated.
Barbados
Requirements
Proof of a PCR test taken no more than three days before arrival uploaded via Travel Form or the BIMSafe app as well as carry a copy of the test are required. Fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to take a second test on arrival but a small sample of people will be randomly selected for a free rapid antigen test at the airport. Unvaccinated arrivals are required to quarantine.
When you get there
Local curfews are in place in some areas, and face masks and social distancing in public spaces are standard. About half the population is fully vaccinated.
Antigua and Barbuda
Requirements
Visitors to Antigua and Barbuda aged 18 or over need proof of full vaccination, and for anyone aged five or over, a negative PCR or approved rapid antigen test taken in the four days before their flight. There is also health screening on arrival. Visitors must not only stay in approved accommodation, but also pick from a list of certified restaurants and excursions.
When you get there
Face masks are compulsory in public places, and you must be able to show that you are fully vaccinated to go to bars or eat in at restaurants.
Turks and Caicos
Requirements
Visitors aged 16 or over need to be fully vaccinated and everyone aged ten or above must do a PCR, rapid antigen or other approved test in the three days before arrival. This information, along with insurance details and a health questionnaire, should be included in your TCI Assured travel authorisation (an online portal where all international travellers are required to obtain certification before travelling to Turks and Caicos).
When you get there
Restaurants and bars are open at reduced capacity, and masks are mandatory in all public places. Vaccination rates are relatively high at 70 per cent, and travel between islands is allowed.
St Lucia
Requirements
All adults must fill in a Travel Registration Form before their trip, including details of a PCR test that can be done up to five days prior to arrival. The test is also required for children (aged 5–17), and if unvaccinated they must quarantine until they get the results from a paid test on arrival. Fully vaccinated travellers do not have to go into automatic quarantine on arrival.
When you get there
Masks are mandatory in public places, and visitors are expected to stick to a list of Covid-certified hotels and restaurants. Vaccination rates in St Lucia are relatively low.
